10 Reasons we are really happy that Super Smash Bros. for Wii U exists
It was only about a month ago that we had played the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. It was exciting, but we knew that the true experience we were waiting for was coming in November, near Thanksgiving.
Find out the 10 reasons why we are super thankful for Super Smash Bros and keep reading for a few reasons why we aren’t.
1. 8 Player Smash is awesome
When 8 Player Smash was first announced, it was just before the launch of a game that already had so much going for it. The mode seemed gimmicky and added as an extra feature.
Now that we have had a couple of weeks to play the new mode, we cannot imagine going back. 8 player smash redefines the party experience and makes one on one battles seem slow and boring.
Also, stages and other features have been specifically designed with 8 players in mind and the controller connectivity is easier to use than expected, so the mode feels like an integral part of the experience, rather than an afterthought.
2. The characters are surprisingly balanced
And when playing the 8 player smash mode, you will be hard pressed to find a “bad character”. Even with an impressive roster of over 45 characters, every fighter has a chance to shine in some form.
Heavyweights (with the exception of King Dedede) have been given speed boosts to compete with the pack. Expect characters like Bowser and Donkey Kong to become mainstays again.
Speedy characters are good as ever and “newcomer” Zero Suit Samus has a lot of variety in short range and long range attacks.
Where the balance really shows its worth is in the quirky new characters like Villager and Bowser Jr. These characters have strange new ways to play but have plenty to offer in professional and fun play.
3. There are so many modes to select
Seriously. There are almost too many modes.
It seems possible that, without clicking immediately on the big “SMASH” button, one could get lost in a maze of single player modes and options screens.
Modes included are:
- Smash
- 8-player Smash
- Online (fun and competitive)
- Classic
- All Star Mode
- Smash Tour (a pretty bland Mario Party mode)
- Event Smash
- Multi-Man Smash
- Home Run Contest
- Target Contest
- Amiibo and Mii Fighter creators
- My Music (listen to over 350 SONGS. What?!)
- Training
- Stage Creator
4. The graphics are absolutely incredible
Graphics don’t make a game.
That being said, we would be crazy if we didn’t mention how beautiful and silky smooth Super Smash Bros for Wii U is. Characters animate well and look gorgeous in 1080p and the stages have a life of their own.
We haven’t had this much fun looking at stage backgrounds since Street Fighter IV.
5. The Omega stages. Oh, the Omega stages.
Nintendo revealed a lot of information about the game prior to the release in November. We have been getting teased about this game for so long, but so much content was still surprising.
The most surprising addition that we did not see coming were the Omega variations of the stages.
For the true Smash competitors, the Omega variant turns any stage — with all of their pratfalls and stage gimmicks and boss monsters — into a flat, Final Destination clone with an aesthetic unique to the selected environment.
It seems like a small change on paper, but it makes a big difference and provides a small amount of excitement to the tired flat stage design of the past. It also proves that…
6. … Nintendo finally ‘gets’ Smash Bros
With this iteration of the franchise, Nintendo has finally understood and adapted to the true fan base of Smash Bros. — the hardcore players.
With Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it appeared as if Nintendo was disregarding the competitive spirit that was built on Melee for the Gamecube. Tripping added an element of luck to a previously skill-based fighting game. Compared to the caffeine-laced, super speed of Melee, Brawl felt like a jog through a lake of molasses. Swimming and flying slowed down the pace even more.
Consider Super Smash Bros for Wii U a return to form — a pinch on the arm. The speed is a happy medium of both previous titles (but we knew about this from the 3DS version of the game). Swimming and flying have been removed and the stages and modes speak to a more competitive experience.
7. Online play is pretty good
Super Smash Bros Wii U online play is also a lot better than the glitchy mess that was Super Smash Bros Brawl online. Connection speed is usually (but not always) good.
Also, the online suite of modes appeals to both casual play and professional players. You can choose to play “For Fun” or “For Glory”. Within “For Glory” you can fight one on one without items or in groups of four.
Now if only Nintendo could figure out how to offer a good online system akin to PSN or Xbox Live, Super Smash Bros Wii U would be an incredible online experience.
8. The soundtrack is amazing and deep
The entire time you play, you can treat your ears to a massive and diverse selection of music. Every stage has at least five selectable tracks. Many are licensed and many are orchestrated remixes of popular Nintendo classics.
Honestly, it is almost worth the price of admission just for the digital soundtrack that you can listen to. There are at least 350 songs (at last count — still unlocking more). Super Smash Bros has always had good music, but this version takes the cake in both size and scope.
9. Duck Hunt
When we discussed the more quirky newcomers earlier, we failed to mention the coolest new fighter to join the roster.
Duck Hunt was a well kept secret until the week before the game released on the 3DS. Duck Hunt and the Duck Hunt stage are an awesome throwback to Nintendo games of old. You can tell there was a lot of love that went into designing duck hunt and converting the snickering two-dimensional dog and bird into a formidable Smash contender.
We recommend trying out Duck Hunt as soon as you can. To unlock Duck Hunt, you have to either play 100 Smash battles or defeat one foe in Cruel Smash (hint: the latter option is much easier).
10. Gamecube controller support
Super Smash Bros Wii U is also the only Wii U game that accepts play with the original Nintendo Gamecube controller as well as the new Gamecube controller that Nintendo has built.
With the large “A” button and jellybean X and Y buttons, the Gamecube controller has been the standard for Smash since Melee. It is great that Nintendo has allowed Gamecube controller compatibility for the game, almost 15 years later.
All that being said…
5 Reasons why we are not so thankful
1. Where can I find a Gamecube adapter?
If you want to use Gamecube controllers, good luck finding the $20 Gamecube adapter.
Sure, you can find it on sites like Amazon.com for $120 from second hand sources, but the adapter is practically nowhere to be found. You might consider checking your local Gamestop and ordering one or checking Best Buy to see if they have any hiding. Other retailers like Walmart don’t seem to carry the thing, so you are better off looking into electronics retailers and online shops.
You could also buy the bundle, with the game and a Gamecube controller for $100, but these are also fairly difficult to find.
2. No “SUPER! SUHMAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSHHHHHH! BURRRRRROTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS!”
Seriously? The trade mark voice of Super Smash Bros is missing at the end of the opening credits. Those expecting to be graced with the most epic reading of a game title ever were sorely disappointed to find the pronouncement sorely missing from the game.
We were some of those people.
3. Amiibo functionality is weird
Amiibo figures are strange. That being said, not a person who showed up for the midnight release of the game walked out without one. Even ourselves, skeptics of the small figurines, lost ourselves in the emotion of the night and broke down.
Between us, we purchased the Link, Samus, and Marth Amiibo.
How do Amiibos work? You use the NFC chip on the Wii U controller to load your saved fighter into the game. But you don’t actually play as the fighter. Instead you level the fighter up by using it as a CPU in battles. This levels up the fighters so that they become very witty and strong, like a human player.
It is a cool, Tamagotchi-esque mode, but it feels kind of stale and is a disappointing use of such a cool idea. I want to be the fighter in question!!
4. Where’s tournament mode in Super Smash Bros. Wii U?
Tournament mode is missing from the Super Smash Bros. Wii U. It will be coming in an upcoming patch — most likely in the spring of next year with Mewtwo.
Is it easy to use a phone app or pencil in tournament brackets for Super Smash Bros? Yes.
But this misses the point entirely. We want the comfort of selecting our characters in game and having the authentic Smash Bros experience.
5. Not spending time with our friends and families
But easily the most glaring issue with launching Super Smash Bros. Wii U near Thanksgiving is the amount of hours we put into the game instead of hanging out with our families. Countless hours of sleep and feasting were lost to late night Smash sessions and 8-player tournaments.
Sure, we were with our friends. But we missed out on the turkey.
FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK AT SUPER SMASH BROS WII U, LISTEN TO OUR EPISODE OF OUR SPOILER CAST PODCAST.